A Florida man took an unusual approach to securing a ride home from the hospital by stealing an ambulance and leading law enforcement officers on a pursuit through city streets. The incident occurred when the suspect, a 43-year-old man, became upset that paramedics refused to transport him home. Instead of finding an alternative means of transportation, he took matters into his own hands literally by hopping into an ambulance and driving away.
Authorities responded to the theft at approximately 8:30 p.m. after receiving reports that an ambulance had been stolen from a hospital. Within ten minutes, law enforcement officers spotted the stolen vehicle near a major intersection and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. However, the driver refused to comply and continued his reckless joyride, disregarding multiple stop signs and maneuvering through the streets with the emergency lights turned off.
During the chase, he escalated the situation by driving against the flow of traffic, barely avoiding head-on collisions with other vehicles. His erratic driving created a dangerous situation for other motorists, prompting officers to take swift action to prevent any potential accidents. Eventually, he was stopped at another intersection, where officers surrounded the ambulance and attempted to extract him from the driver’s seat.
Rather than surrendering immediately, he took a moment to finish the last of his beer before gripping the steering wheel and resisting arrest. Law enforcement officers had to physically remove him from the ambulance before taking him into custody.
Following his arrest, the man admitted to drinking for two days straight and stated that his frustration over being denied a ride home led him to steal the ambulance. He was taken to the county jail, where he now faces a series of charges, including burglary, grand theft of an emergency vehicle, fleeing and eluding law enforcement, and driving under the influence. Due to his history of driving violations, he also faces charges of habitual driving without a license.
With multiple prior offenses, he was booked into jail without bond, ensuring he remains in custody as he awaits further legal proceedings.
